Small Spaces That Make a Big Impact For People With Children
Hi friends with kids! Are you considering a home remodel or addition? Here are five small spaces to consider adding to the plans…
Mudroom: can you say storage? Can you say family landing space? I mean mudrooms might literally be the most functional small space around! I might actually and truly be in love with mine. It is so incredible to have a space for our family to drop our jackets, shoes and bags before heading into our home. It truly organizes the chaos of the day. Each of my children have a hook for backpacks and coats, a drawer for their shoes and a shelf for their smaller items like hats, gloves, dance bags. We even have storage for sports equipment currently in the rotation. In addition, we house items like vacuums, brooms, mops, extra tp, tissues and paper towel. This room works so hard and it looks so gorgeous doing it that I could cry!
Home Office: Soooo clutch for the modern day family! Dare I say the “P” word that traumatized us all in 2020?! Since then many people have continued to work from home either full time or part time. Listen, you don’t need a big space to have a home office. Let me remind you of how many people work in a legit cubicle. It’s all about being able to shut the door and have a designated space to work without the distractions of your active family. Most importantly, It’s a place to zoom safely!
Breakfast Nook: Islands are all the rage and as they should be! They are totally functional and a great central location for casual dining and conversation. Nonetheless, there is something to be said about a family dinner centered around an actual table without having to go into a formal dining room and stain Grandma’s vintage upholstered chairs or whatever. A breakfast nook is cozy and charming. It creates a setting for the family to gather close and enjoy time together over a real meal. My kids also love using ours for a place to do homework while I prepare dinner. I can cook and help them at the same time. Better yet, if they are fighting at the island then you can ban one of them to the table to eat! Hahaaaa! The other bonus about a nook with bench seating is the possibility of storage in the bench. Who doesn’t need more storage?
First Floor Playroom: I do not personally have one, but up until about a year ago my kids would never play in the basement playroom. They needed to be 5 feet away from me at all times. Quite honestly, when they were little I liked it that way too. However, this meant having their toys all over my kitchen and living room. Not cool for the mom that likes for everything to have a place! If I could’ve, I would’ve had a small playroom on the first level to contain their play and keep them in close proximity. It’s really a win win. When they grow up and embrace the basement? Transform it into a study space for them or make it a home office. I hear they’re also quite impactful!
Second Level Laundry: Why in the world were laundry rooms originally put all the way in the basement? Did the original designer live alone? Prior to my own remodel I was lugging laundry basket after laundry basket down two levels multiple times a day. When it was time to remodel, a 1st level mudroom with laundry was suggested. While that wasn’t a bad idea (from my husband who doesn’t do the laundry) I knew the real way to go was 2nd level all day! Be it a laundry closet or room, let me tell you! Life-Change-Ing! I grab a laundry basket, walk a few feet to my laundry room, fold it right there on the countertop…upstairs where the bedrooms are, and walk a few feet to put it away. Life-Change-Ing!
BONUS:
Wet Bar: Joking….Joking….Half….Half joking.